2008_Digest_No3

F O R A L U M N I & F R I E N D S O F P H I L A D E L P H I A C O L L E G E O F O S T E O P A T H I C M E D I C I N E

2 0 0 8 N o 3

GLOBAL WARMING’S

HEALTH CRISIS

ConTEnTS

Features

Global Warming’s Health Crisis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Weather Disasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Emerging Infectious Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

What Can Be Done? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Water-Borne Diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Heat Related Illnesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Heat Intensifies Air Pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

What Can Health Professionals Do?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Extreme Climate Events and Mental Health Disorders. . . . . 13

Medical Marriages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Common Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Starting Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Practicing Together. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Military Match . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

A Family Tradition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Research: Fruit of the Vine May Combat Prostrate Cancer . . . . 20

Departments

Updates and Kudos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Development News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

My Turn Essay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

EDITORJENNIFER SCHAFFER LEONE

CREATIVE DIRECTORWENDY W. ROMANO

ASSOCIATE EDITORCAROL L. WEISL

ALUMNI EDITORSMADELINE LAWPAMELA RUOFFFLORENCE D. ZELLER

GRAPHIC DESIGNERPAMELA A. ALBRIGHT

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERABIGAIL L. CLAYTON

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSFRANK P. PETTINELLI, JR., DO ’82 NANCY WEST

PHOTOGRAPHERSBRUCE FAIRFIELDJOHN SHETRONTABATHA TROLLI

Contact Us

PHONE

215-871-6300

FAX

215-871-6307

E-MAIL

[email protected]

MAIL

4180 City Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19131-1695

www.pcom.edu

Digest, the magazine for alumni and friends of PhiladelphiaCollege of Osteopathic Medicine (Vol. 69, No. 3, USPS,413-060), is published three times a year by theDepartments of Marketing and Communications andAlumni Relations and Development. Periodical postage ispaid at Bala Cynwyd, PA, and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:DigestAlumni Relations and DevelopmentPhiladelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine4180 City AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19131-1695

Opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by the College or the editors.

diGEST2 0 0 8 N o 3

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 1

Dear Alumni and Friends,

As osteopathic physicians, health practitioners, researchers, healers and human

beings, we need to continually broaden our perspective on public health and disease.

Education and shared dialogue are quintessential; we must work to better understand

the relationships among global warming, the health of ecosystems and the nature of

health vulnerability. The cover article of this issue of Digest outlines the many chal-

lenges the health care community faces, urging advocacy for changes to the public

health infrastructure that will support and enhance research into the most effective

measures for emergency response/disaster preparedness, infectious disease surveil-

lance, vaccination and access to primary health care for all susceptible populations.

The article, “Medical Marriages,” celebrates alumni physician couples who have

overcome the many challenges of a medical marriage. Their experiences—representa-

tive of physician-partnered relationships lived by so many PCOM graduates—offer

an authentic look at the partners in a physician relationship, as individuals and as a

couple at various stages in their careers.

Finally, the research article focuses on the work of Dianzheng Zhang, PhD, assis-

tant professor, biochemistry/molecular biology, who two years ago initiated a study

to learn more about the chemo-preventive mechanisms of resveratrol in prostate can-

cer development. Resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant found abundantly in the skins

of red grapes, is a component of Ko-jo-kon, an oriental medicine used to treat dis-

eases of the blood vessels, heart, and liver. It has been identified as one of the most

promising preventive agents against various cancers.

I thank you for your continued interest in and support of the College.

With warmest regards,

Matthew Schure, PhDPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Opening RemaRks

P h i l a D e l P h i a C o l l e g e o f o s t e o P a t h i C M e D i C i n e2

Updates and kUdOs

GA–PCOM’s first graduating class of biomedical sciencesstudents received their master’s degrees on May 18. True toGA–PCOM’s goal of training physicians from the south inthe south, eight of the 13 graduates will enter medicalschool in a southern state. Four of those will be members ofthe class of 2012 at GA–PCOM. One graduate, RouenneAbasolo, MS/Biomed ’08, will move north to enroll inPCOM’s DO program. “I chose the biomedical sciences program because I knew

that to be a competitive medical school applicant I neededto reach my full potential in the classroom,” Ms. Abasoloexplains. “GA–PCOM helped me accomplish this by offer-ing a track that consisted of coursework and the composi-tion of a scientific research review article. I learned to focuson my priorities and developed better study habits. I havebeen given the confidence to succeed in my future, and Iowe much of that to GA–PCOM.”

GA–PCOM Graduates First Biomedical Sciences Class

GA–PCOM’s first biomedical sciences graduating class.

DO Commencement

Two hundred and fifty-six studentsbecame 256 doctors on June 1, atPCOM’s 117th commencement cere-mony. Five of the graduates completedthe combined DO/MBA program, onegraduate completed the combinedDO/MPH program and three graduatescompleted the osteopathic manipulativemedicine fellowship program.Keynote speaker Philadelphia Mayor

Michael A. Nutter congratulated thegraduates and shared the story of histhwarted plan to become a physician. Heencouraged the graduates to return to thecity after their training is complete.

Also during the ceremony, Sherman L.Townsend, chairman, Delaware Instituteof Medical Education and Research, waspresented with an honorary doctor oflaws degree in appreciation of his advo-cacy for quality medical education in thestate of Delaware. Andrew D. DeMasi,DO ’47, retired clinical professor andphysician, obstetrics and gynecology, was named professor emeritus.

Mayor Michael Nutter delivered the keynoteaddress at the 117th DO commencement.

Graduate Programs Commencement

Over 230 doctoral and master’s level students were awardedtheir graduate degrees at PCOM’s ninth annual graduate pro-grams commencement on July 25. Doctor of psychology degreeswere awarded in clinical and school psychology; master of sci-ence degrees were awarded in school psychology, counseling andclinical health psychology, educational specialist in school psy-chology, organizational development and leadership, forensicmedicine, biomedical studies and physician assistant studies.Barbara J. Byrne, PhD, emerita senior vice president for academ-ic affairs, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, presentedthe commencement address. The College awarded Aaron T.Beck, MD, director of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapyand Research, an honorary doctor of laws degree.

Dr. Schure hoods Dr. Beck.

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 3

Kudos

Murray R. Berkowitz, DO, assis-tant professor, OMM, GA–PCOM,presented “Disaster Planning for the Avian Flu” at the June meetingof the Tennessee OsteopathicMedical Association.

Oliver Bullock, DO ’78, chair,community medicine, departmentof family medicine, was the keynotespeaker at the Forum on HealthCare sponsored by the Delegates for Humanity Network, a thinktank and action group of theCovenant with Black America. Healso presented “The History ofHypertension in African Americans”at the Deliverance EvangelisticChurch Health Fair and was a gueston “HealthQuest Live,” a weeklylive call-in radio program. Dr.Bullock discussed health disparitiesin the African American communityand strategies for addressing them.

Terri Erbacher, PhD, clinical assis-tant professor, psychology, withthree psychology students, presented “Cultural Competence and Suicidal Youth: InterveningSensitively with This Preventable,Community Health Problem” atColumbia University’s 25th AnnualWinter Roundtable on CulturalPsychology and Education.

Paul Evans, DO ’79, vice dean and chief academic officer,GA–PCOM, received the designa-tion, fellow of the American Collegeof Osteopathic Family Physicians. Dr. Evans also presented“Millennium Medical Students:Challenges for Clinical Educators”at the June meeting of theGeorgia/South CarolinaOsteopathic Medical Association.

Updates and kUdOs

Sharing the PCOM StoryMatthew Schure, PhD, president and

CEO, and John Fleischmann, EdD, cam-pus executive officer, GA–PCOM, visitedthe nation’s Capitol in June to sharePCOM’s chronicle with members ofCongress. They met with Georgia SenatorSaxby Chambliss, who told them howpleased he is to have GA–PCOM in thestate. In a meeting with PennsylvaniaSenator Robert Casey, Jr., Dr. Schurepointed out that 60 percent of this year’sgraduating DO class will remain inPennsylvania, making PCOM worthy of continued support.

Dr. Schure and Senator Casey also dis-cussed the importance of the School as Lender program.

PCOM Comes Out Ahead in Survey

An American Association of Collegesof Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)-conducted survey of fourth-year DO stu-dents shows that PCOM students fromthe class of 2007 were more satisfied withthe quality of their education than thegeneral population of DO students intheir fourth year. Over 92 percent ofPCOM seniors said they were satisfied orvery satisfied with the quality of theireducation, compared to 81 percent of

seniors from other colleges of osteopathicmedicine (COMs). In addition, over 82percent of those surveyed were satisfiedor very satisfied with their choice ofosteopathic medicine as a professioncompared to 77 percent of their peers inother schools. Finally, over 78 percent ofthe PCOM students would choosePCOM again as opposed to 70 percentof students from other COMs whowould make the same choice.

Psychology Collaboration Hits Prime Time

PCOM’s clinical psychology studentshave been providing counseling servicesto patients at the College’s fourPhiladelphia Healthcare Centers since2002. The counseling plays a crucial rolein helping patients cope with emotionalissues and physical challenges. It also pro-vides valuable training for PCOM psy-chology students. This important collab-oration was featured on Philadelphia’sNBC affiliate WCAU-TV. To view thestory, visit the College’s Web site atwww.pcom.edu and click on “PCOM inthe Spotlight.”

Barbara Golden, PsyD, assistant professorand director, clinical services, psychology,discusses a case with Julia Rovinsky (PsyD)and Umar Johnson (PsyD).


Updates and kUdOs

PA Program Forms Partnership with Brenau University

PCOM and Brenau University have signed an agreementto create a five-year accelerated BS/MS degree in physicianassistant studies. The agreement mirrors the one betweenPCOM and University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.Students will complete a three-year specialized pre-profes-sional program at Brenau, located in Gainesville, Georgia,

and then relocate to Philadelphia to completethe first year of classroom-based study inPCOM’s physician assistant program. The firstgraduate year will be credited as the final year ofbaccalaureate study. For the fifth and final yearof the combined BS/MS program, students willreturn to Georgia for clinical education atGeorgia-based institutions. “This agreement is the perfect response to ourmutual goal of training health professionals toserve in the South,” says Matthew Schure, PhD,president and chief executive officer. “The inno-vative partnership takes advantage of thestrengths of both institutions to assure under-graduates a path to a career in the health profes-sions and to prepare highly qualified physicianassistants for Georgia.”

“This is a win-win solution for Brenau University and PCOM," continues John M. Cavenagh, PhD, PA-C,professor and chair, department of physician assistant studies. “The clinical placements that Brenau has secured at Georgia-based institutions are key. Limited availability of clinical placements nationwide is a major factor limiting growth of nearly all PA programs. Thisagreement offers PCOM the potential for growth, subjectto accreditation approval.”

Ed Schrader, PhD (seated left), president, Brenau University, andMatthew Schure, PhD, president and chief executive officer, PCOM,shake hands following the signing of an agreement creating anaccelerated five-year bachelor of science/master of science degreein physician assistant studies. [photo courtesy of Tom Askew]

Rani Bright, MBBS, Receives Lindback Award

Rani Bright, MBBS, assistant professor, pathology, micro-biology/immunology and forensic medicine, received theChristian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Distinguish-ed Teaching. The Lindback Award recognizes academicexcellence and outstanding teaching and is one of the most prestigious awards conferred on a faculty member in higher education. Dr. Bright has been a member of the PCOM faculty for

20 years. She is certified through the American Board ofBioanalysis as a high complexity clinical laboratory director.In addition to teaching clinical parasitology, microbiology,infectious disease and public health, Dr. Bright gives grand-rounds and clinical core lectures at Lancaster GeneralHospital, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NewJersey and continuing medical education seminars. Dr.Bright has published several papers on the topics of emerg-ing infections and travel medicine.Dr. Bright is a member of the American Board of

Bioanalysis, the American Society for Microbiology, theGlobal Health Council and the American College ofPhysicians. She also serves as a consultant to the NationalBoard of Osteopathic Medical Examiners. Dr. Bright receives the Lindback Award from Dr. Schure.

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 5

Kudos

Katherine Galluzzi, DO, professorand chair, geriatrics, was installed as the 2008-2010 president of thePennsylvania Osteopathic FamilyPhysicians Society. An abstract ofher journal article, “ManagingNeuropathic Pain,” was highlightedin a recent issue of the AmericanAcademy of Pain Management’s e-newsletter Currents: PainManagement News and Research.

William Gilhool, DO, co-directorand physician, PCOM HealthcareCenter - Lancaster AvenueDivision, was a guest on the E.Steven Collins show on WRNBRadio, 107.9 FM. He discussedhealth issues important to menincluding screening for prostateand colon cancer.

George McCloskey, PhD, associ-ate professor and director, schoolpsychology research, received the Distinguished Contributions in School Psychology Award from the Pennsylvania Psycho-logical Association.

Eugene Mochan, DO ’77, PhD,professor, family medicine; associ-ate dean, primary care and continu-ing education; and director, Centerfor Evidence-Based Practice, coau-thored “Predicting RheumatoidArthritis Risk in Adults withUndifferentiated Arthritis,” published in American Family Physician.

Michael Sampson, DO, director,PCS, clinical education, GA–PCOM, presented two lectures atthe June meeting of the Georgia/South Carolina Osteopathic Medical Association: “SportsMedicine: Heat Illness” and“Functional and Anatomical Diag-

Updates and kUdOs

Carlo DiMarco, DO ’78, Named AOA PresidentMatthew Schure, PhD, president and chief execu-

tive officer, PCOM, had the honor of taking part in the installation of Carlo DiMarco, DO ’78, as the new president of the American OsteopathicAssociation (AOA). Dr. DiMarco has a distinguishedhistory with PCOM including service as professor,director, and chairman of the ophthalmology residen-cy program. Currently, Dr. DiMarco is professor,director of the ophthalmology program, and regionaldean of clinical medicine at Lake Erie College ofOsteopathic Medicine.

Dr. DiMarco [photo courtesy of the AOA]

Outstanding PA Alumna

Abby Jacobson, PA-C ’01, was chosen as the recipient of the 2008 Physicians’Assistant Outstanding Alumni Award. This award is presented in recognition of outstanding achievement, contribution, service and dedication to the PA profession.Ms. Jacobson practices dermatology in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has held numer-ous leadership positions in the American Academy of Physician Assistants, thePennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants and the Society of DermatologyPhysician Assistants. She is the owner of Strategic Medical Consulting LLC.

John Cavenagh, PhD, PA-C, professor and chair, physician assistant program,presents Ms. Jacobson with her award at the annual conference of theAmerican Academy of Physician Assistants in San Antonio.


Kudos

nostic Imaging in the Primary CarePractice.” In addition, he presented“The Shoulder: Exam Basics,Common Injuries and OMT” at themeeting of the Louisiana Osteopathic Medical Association.

Ruth Thornton, PhD, professor andchair, biochemistry/molecular biology,and Farzaneh Daghigh, PhD, associ-ate professor, biochemistry/molecularbiology, attended the MedicalBiochemistry Education StrategiesWorkshop sponsored by theAssociation of Medical and GraduateDepartments of Biochemistry. Theypresented two posters: “Standardizingthe Case Conference Experience with-in an Integrated Course” and“Successfully Launching an IntegratedCourse,” the latter, coauthored byKerin Fresa-Dillon, PhD, professor,pathology, microbiology, immunologyand forensic medicine.

Bruce Zahn, EdD, associate profes-sor, psychology, presented “TheInternship Application Process fromStart to Finish” at the June Penn- sylvania Psychology Association annual convention.

Dianzheng Zhang, PhD, associateprofessor, biochemistry/molecularbiology, received a $15,000 MinorityJunior Faculty Award from theChristian R. & Mary F. LindbackFoundation for his research,“Chromosomal Translocation-Induced Overexpression of ERG andProstate Tumorigenesis.”

Updates and kUdOs

Pew Grant to Benefit Healthcare Center Patients

The departments of psychology andfamily medicine were awarded a three-year, $225,000 grant from the PewCharitable Trusts to provide behavioralmedicine services to underserved, vulner-able adults at PCOM’s PhiladelphiaHealthcare Centers. The goal of the grantis to help individuals who face significantsocial, behavioral and health problemsbecome independent and productivemembers of the community. The grant provides funding for a doc-

toral-level clinical health psychologist

who, in addition to PCOM clinical psy-chology students, will provide behavioralmedicine services such as stress manage-ment, weight reduction, diabetes self-management, coping with chronic illness,smoking cessation and other lifestylechange interventions. The initiative willexpand the services already offered in theHealthcare Centers, with the psycholo-gists and primary care physicians workingto manage both mental and physicalhealth problems.

Playing It SafePCOM physicians and DO students

were among the 200 health care partici-pants performing over 1,200 physicals on student athletes as part of PhiladelphiaPhysicians for Student Athletics this pastJune. This program, founded by JerrySteingard, MD, is based on a similar program created in Arizona by his brother, Paul Steingard, DO ’54. More than 160 first- and second-year

PCOM DO students helped give thephysicals. “This was an excellent way toend our year,” notes J.D. McCullough(DO ’11) student coordinator of theevent and class chair. “Working withattending and resident physicians, weperformed a battery of physical exams.The event gave our class the opportunityto put into practice all the skills andknowledge we studied throughout ourfirst year.”“Our students rave about the opportu-

nity to see real patients,” says JohnSimelaro, DO ’71, who participates in

these yearly screenings. “The first-yearstudents finish their semester jazzed upand looking forward to their second year.They feel like doctors.”

Rachael Engel (DO ’11) checks a student’svision during a physical exam.

Physician Assistant Students Take First Step

Marking their entry into the physicianassistant program, 54 first-year physicianassistant students participated in the tra-ditional white coat ceremony. The eventemphasizes the importance of both scien-tific excellence and compassionate carefor the patient. The coats were a gift fromthe late Sara Somers Rupert, RN ’33, andher daughter, M. Kimberly Rupert, PhD.

Patrick Coughlin, PhD, professor, anatomy,cloaks a new PA student during the whitecoat ceremony.

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 7

develOpment news

Major Bequest Realized

The Lydia Throburn Memorial Trust has been liquidat-ed and the proceeds divided between PCOM andKirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. ErnestHenke, DO ’24, established the trust, named for a mem-ber of the family that boasted osteopathic physicians

from both PCOM and Kirksville. The Throburn Trustsupported many family members over the years and wasliquidated when the last beneficiary passed away thisspring. PCOM received more than $451,000 which will be placed in the College’s endowment.

The Class of 1978 Challenge Hits New Heights

The Class of 1978 was presented with a unique chal-lenge by classmate Robert D. Gober, DO ’78. Dr. Goberwished the Class of 1978 to reach 100 percent participa-tion and $100,000 for the Unrestricted Annual Fund as a 30-year Reunion gift to the College. To encourage hisclassmates, he offered to match the first $100 donated by each member of the class. The Class of 1978 contributed $70,643, the largest

amount raised toward the Unrestricted Annual Fund by a

F. Munro Purse, DO ’32, Award in Pediatrics

Pediatrics Clerkship Director Larissa Fernando Dominy, DO’93, was committed to seeing the top pediatrics student recog-nized at the DO Senior Dinner Dance. With the help ofRichard Purse, DO ’72, and other physicians, she raised morethan $10,000 to endow the F. Munro Purse, DO ’32 Award inPediatrics. Nicole M. Fields, DO ’08, was the first recipient.The award is named in memory of Dr. Purse’s father who was abeloved alumnus and teacher of pediatrics at PCOM.

Dr. Fields (center) was the first recipient of the award.

Michael P. Szutowicz, DO ’72, Memorial Scholarship

Carol Szutowicz, widow of the late Dr. Szutowicz, completed a scholarship (begun by family andfriends) in memory of her husband who passed away in 1996. Criteria for the scholarship requirethe recipient to show a keen interest in a career in primary care, be a resident of Pennsylvania, anddemonstrate financial need. Mrs. Szutowicz said that her husband “was a true family doctor whocared for hundreds of families, delivering their children and caring for them throughout theirlives.” She hopes the scholarship recipients will reflect his compassionate care of patients in theirown careers.

The late Dr. Szutowicz

class (excluding one-time major gifts of $20,000 or more).Sixty-six donors, or 35 percent of the class, participated—a 38 percent increase from the previous year.In addition to matching his classmates’ first $100, Dr.

Gober made a leadership gift to honor all members of theClass of 1978. Including other gifts to PCOM, the Class of 1978 con-

tributed $103,937 to the College during the 2007-2008 fiscal year.


Global climate change is more than a weather phenomenon;

it is also a major public health issue.

Global warming. The signs in nature are irrefutable.

Deadly heat waves, record-breaking floods and

monstrous storms are occurring with heightened

frequency and intensity, killing and displacing

hundreds of thousands of people and wildlife.

The changes to our world are often symbolized

by the polar bear looking for refuge as its habitat

on the polar ice caps literally melts away.

But what about human health? What is the full

spectrum of effects on human health that we can

expect as a result of climate change and other

related environmental problems?

That question is still being answered as the world’s

scientists, governments and businesses confront

the state of the environment. One thing is certain.

Significant health problems are emerging, according to

the World Health Organization (WHO), and physicians

and other health care professionals must be prepared

to respond. The WHO estimates that at least 150,000

additional deaths occur annually due to climate change,

and this number is expected to double by 2030.

Following are some of the challenges the health

care community faces.

GLOBALWARMING’SHEALTH

CRISIS

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 9

Weather DisastersSince the 1990s, the world has witnessed some of the

worst weather disasters in recorded history. HurricanesAndrew and Katrina, typhoons in Southeast Asia and therecent flooding in the U.S. Midwest are among the extremeclimate events that have left a trail of human suffering, dis-ease and death in their wake. Victims in such situationsmay suffer from infectious diseases, injuries and stress-relat-ed disorders, as well as adverse health effects related toforced displacement, crowding in shelters, and hazardousexposure to contaminated water and toxic chemicals inrunoff from agricultural lands.

Emerging Infectious DiseasesMosquitoes, which breed and thrive in warm and wet

climates, carry many potentially deadly infectious diseasessuch as malaria and dengue fever. If the earth’s temperaturecontinues to increase coupled with more intense stormsrelated to climate change, mosquitoes will increase in num-ber, their biting season will become longer, and they will beable to survive in more parts of the world than ever before,according to David Condoluci, DO ’76, chief of infectiousdiseases for Kennedy Health System in New Jersey and clin-ical professor of medicine at the University of Medicine andDentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine. “Mosquito-borne diseases are likely to emerge in places

where they’ve never been seen before,” says Dr. Condoluci.“Northern zones that typically get snow and ice in winter,for example, could become increasingly temperate and morehospitable to mosquitoes and other disease-carryinginsects.” The WHO has voiced concerns that malaria,which is a major killer of people in the developing world,may become even more threatening as it spreads to newareas where people lack immunity because they have neverbeen exposed.In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) has predicted that mosquitoes may develop greaterresistance to drugs and control methods such as insecticidesbecause of the quicker turnover of parasite life cycles thatoccurs in warmer temperatures.According to an EPA report, the proportion of the

world’s population living within the potential zone formalaria transmission will increase from approximately 45 percent to 60 percent by the latter half of this century. A similar trend is expected for dengue fever. “Dengue fever has traditionally been seen in tropical

areas and in the developing world,” notes Dr. Condoluci.


On a global level, the WHO and other organizations are advocat-

ing for changes to the public health system that will improve the

world’s ability to respond to the effects of climate change. The WHO

is coordinating and supporting research into the most effective meas-

ures, including improved disease surveillance and control programs,

more thorough disaster preparedness, vaccination, public education

and improved access to health care.

The organization is also working to develop better estimates of

the scale and nature of health vulnerability and advising members on

the adaptive changes they need to make to their health systems to

protect their populations.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been

taking action through aggressive efforts to provide information and

raise public awareness,” says Dr. Condoluci. “The CDC has a dedicated

Web site for emerging infectious diseases designed to alert the com-

munity and public health agencies around the world about potential

problems. The CDC also initiated a network system that provides reg-

ular e-mail updates to subscribers, as often as several times daily,

regarding developing infectious disease situations that may pose a

public risk.”

The WHO is instituting public health measures for mosquito con-

trol, improving methods for identifying areas at risk, implementing

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

The scientific community is still debating the effect ofglobal warming on tick borne diseases, according to Dr.Condoluci. “Although no connection between Lyme diseaseand global warming has been proven, it is possible thatmore ticks could survive the winter kill off if the weatherbecomes more temperate in northern regions,” he says. Some scientists have noted that Lyme disease and Rocky

Mountain spotted fever are already spreading to areas oncethought to be too cold for them to survive. On the otherhand, some ticks may not be able to survive warmer tem-peratures in the southern U.S.

Dr. Condoluci notes that global warm-ing could also bring about an increase inSalmonella infections. “Higher tempera-tures may lead to greater microbial prolif-eration in food stuffs,” he says.

“The number of cases has increased steadily since the early1990s. It is believed that the severity and number of caseswill continue to increase along with global warming. This is particularly troubling because there’s no real treatment for dengue fever, and it can be deadly.”West Nile virus, another infectious disease transmitted by

mosquitoes, has emerged in the U.S. in recent years. Someauthorities suggest that some forms of encephalitis, such aswestern equine and St. Louis, that have typically appearedin the south could swing northward with climate change.According to World Health Report 2007, the incidence ofRift Valley fever, another mosquito-trans-mitted disease, has increased substantiallyin Africa along with mosquito breedingsites as a result of excessive rainfall associ-ated with the climate variation known asEl Niño.

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 11

measures to reduce and eliminate pools of stagnant water where

mosquitoes breed, and promoting the use of anti-malaria mosquito

nets in high-risk areas such as Africa as well as insecticides.

Working together, the WHO and CDC have implemented an early

alert and intervention system for areas of potential infectious disease

outbreaks. A team goes to the suspected area, identifies the disease

source and quarantines as much of the area as possible to contain

the disease. “In recent years, they have used this system effectively

to deal with the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak

and other viruses,” notes Dr. Condoluci.

“In addition, many researchers are working to develop new vac-

cines for prevention and new antivirals and antimicrobials for treat-

ment of these infectious diseases,” he says.

In the U.S., Hurricane Katrina taught that it is vital to enhance

infrastructure and capacity to deal with public health emergencies.

When health facilities throughout the New Orleans area were

destroyed, the ability of health care professionals to provide care was

severely compromised. Many other cities throughout the world are

situated at sea level and could face a similar fate.

The world health community must respond to the challenges

posed by global warming, says the WHO, or the price will be high in

terms of disease, health care expenditures and lost productivity.

World Health Organizationwww.who.int/en

U.S. Environmental Protection Agencywww.epa.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.gov

in diseases transmitted from fish and shellfish, according tothe EPA. Higher surface temperatures stimulate the growthof algae, such as toxic “red tides” which have increasinglyplagued the coastal waters of the U.S. in recent years, aswell as more northern reaches of the Mediterranean Sea.When these algae are eaten by fish and shellfish, they pose athreat of food poisoning to the humans who eat them. Higher ocean surface temperatures may also increase the

severity of cholera epidemics in coastal regions, according toa research study at the University of Michigan.

Heat-Related IllnessesIn recent years, heat waves have been

hitting parts of the world where peopleare unaccustomed to and unprepared todeal with such extreme heat. The 1990swas the warmest decade in recorded history. In 1995, a severe heat wave in

Water-Borne DiseasesHeavier downpours and flooding are associated with

global warming. In combination with warmer temperatures,this could increase the incidence of cholera, which is trans-mitted by contaminated water. When flooding overwhelmsthe water and sewer infrastructure, water and sewagebecome contaminated and warmer temperatures make itmore likely that cholera will survive. In addition to cholera,infections such as E. coli, cryptosporidium and hepatitis Acould become more prevalent under these conditions,according to Dr. Condoluci. It is esti-mated that more than 700 U.S. cities,primarily northern, have sewer systemsthat regularly overflow into water sup-plies during heavy rainstorms.Climate changes that affect the ocean,

such as warmer temperatures and moreprecipitation, can change the marineecosystem, leading to possible increases


WHAT CAN HEALTH PROFESSIONALS DO?

Physicians and public health practitioners can help by directly

reducing the health impacts of climate change through improved pri-

mary health care for vulnerable populations, according to the EPA.

The WHO encourages health professionals to bring their understand-

ing of prevention to discussions about ways to mitigate climate

change as well as helping people to adapt to climate change. At the

primary care level, this may include, for example, advising patients to

install air conditioners, reduce activity and stay hydrated during

extreme heat, and remain indoors during “red alerts.”

Physicians can also mitigate the effects of climate change while

enhancing patient wellness by encouraging individuals, as appropri-

ate, to walk or bicycle to their destinations instead of driving. Urging

patients to eat healthier foods that are grown locally, such as fruits,

vegetables and grains, will also help to reduce the risk of climate

change as well as lower the risks of coronary artery disease, stroke,

hypertension, obesity and diabetes.

It will take the collective talents of health care professionals

worldwide, working with each other and with their patients, to meet

the many challenges that lie ahead.

environment during intensely hot weather, but this is oftendifficult, particularly for those in lower socioeconomicgroups and for people in parts of the world where air condi-tioning is rare because it has not been needed in the past.

Heat Intensifies Air Pollution Hotter temperatures increase the formation of ground-

level ozone, a key component of smog that can damagelung tissue. Studies have shown that exposure to ozone and

other air pollutants created by burningfossil fuels can cause complications forpeople who suffer from cardiovascularand respiratory diseases as well as prema-ture deaths. For people with asthma, air pollution

can increase sensitivity to allergens, trig-ger attacks and increase the incidence ofupper respiratory infections. Pollen-pro-ducing plants such as ragweed thrive with

Chicago resulted in 465 deaths. In 2003, Europe experi-enced an excessive heat wave that led to more than 44,000 related deaths.One serious consequence of extreme heat is dehydration,

which can lead to heat stroke and a multitude of other seri-ous problems, including kidney stones. A recent study pub-lished in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciencessuggests that the prevalence of kidney stones may rise by 30percent or more in some areas of the U.S. if global tempera-tures continue to rise as forecast. According to computermodel predictions, the southeastern U.S. will experience a four-degree increase in average temper-ature by 2050.An increase in the frequency or severity

of heat waves is especially threatening tomore vulnerable populations such as theelderly, infants and people with respira-tory and cardiovascular disorders and diabetes. It is critical for those who are vulnerable to be in an air conditioned

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 13

Individuals suffering from seriousmental health disorders are particularlyvulnerable to extreme heat and climateevents, which can cause stress reactionssuch as increased agitation, irritability,frustration and fatigue, according toTheresa Kovacs, PsyD ’07, clinical coor-dinator of a cognitive remediation pro-gram at a state psychiatric institution innortheastern Pennsylvania.“For individuals with psychiatric disor-

ders, any occurrence outside the norm,such as extreme heat or climate events, isstressful and they respond with poor cop-ing capabilities,” says Dr. Kovacs. “Inaddition, proper hydration is a concernfor patients who take anti-psychoticmedications. We constantly monitor theweather, particularly heat, humidity andheavy rain, so that we can ensure thesafety of our patients.”During severe heat, the hospital acti-

vates “weather bans” during whichpatients must stay in air conditioning or,if they are scheduled to leave the facility,

must be transported in an air condi-tioned vehicle. “Severe weather can havea profound effect on the ability of ourinpatients to get out into the commun-ity,” notes Dr. Kovacs. “At the same time,consumers who live in the communitymay not come to us for their appoint-ments because they usually need publictransportation and can’t cope with wait-ing in extreme weather. “Our response to helping clients dur-

ing extreme climate events such as heatwaves, heavy rains or wind storms is tosupport and educate them,” she contin-ues. “We treat from a recovery model, sowe try to educate rather than dictatewhat they should do. When they can’tleave due to a weather ban, we providethem with alternatives such as occupa-tional therapy, recreational activities andpsychiatric support to help them cope.”Dr. Kovacs also notes that chronically

mentally ill individuals often have co-morbid health risks such as cardiac prob-lems. Extreme increase in temperatures

can add accompanying agitation andincreased stress, which poses further risksto overall health. Dr. Kovacs, who has received training

in neuropsychology assessments, hasobserved the same vulnerability to cli-mate events in patients with traumaticbrain injury as well as those withAlzheimer’s disease or dementia. “Wehave an older population that is growingrapidly in size, and many will developdementia symptoms such as confusionand memory difficulties,” she says. “Asglobal warming increases, it is urgent thatwe find more and better ways to treatthose in need.“It is well documented that mental

health and physical health go hand inhand,” she emphasizes. “When the issueof global warming is being addressed inthe U.S. and worldwide, it is vital toensure that adequate public healthresources are directed to mental healthcare as well as physical health.”

Extreme Climate Events and Mental Health Disorders

higher levels of carbon dioxide in the air, causing flare-upsfor asthma and allergy sufferers alike. Unless action is taken to slow global warming, some

researchers project that, by 2050, people living in 50 citiesin the heavily populated eastern U.S. will face double thenumber of unhealthy “red alert” air pollution days when it is considered unhealthy to go outdoors. According to the EPA, the effect on human health

from exposure to extreme weather and air pollution simul-taneously may be greater than the separate effects addedtogether. The WHO reports that estimated health care costsand income lost due to environmental ill-nesses caused by air pollution oftenmatch or exceed the expense of tacklingthe environmental hazard itself.

Global warming was first predicted in 1896 by

a Swedish scientist, Svante Arrhenius. He asked

a key question: “Is the mean temperature of the

ground influenced by the presence of the heat-

absorbing gases in the atmosphere?” He

became the first person to investigate the

effect that doubling atmospheric carbon

dioxide would have on global climate.

The term “greenhouse effect”

was coined even earlier in 1827

by Jean Baptiste Fourier, a

French mathematician and

scientist who is credited with

the discovery that gases in the

atmosphere might increase the

surface temperature of the Earth.


Over the years, many PCOM alumni have met and married fellow physicians. They were

lab partners, study partners, roommates and, most importantly, friends before falling in love.

This article features seven such couples. Some have been married just a few years and others

are celebrating nearly 30 years together. All have overcome the many challenges of a medical

marriage, surviving demanding schedules during medical school, residencies, fellowships

and on call hours in practice when time together is scarce.

Many couples have children, some very young and some grown. They have lovingly

made sacrifices for the sake of their families, taking staggered vacations, working alternate

schedules, even choosing alternate specialties. All emphasize the crucial support that family

and friends provide to a two-physician family.

These physician couples consult with each other about their medical practices and studies.

Some even practice together. All respect and understand the demands that the profession

places on their spouse and appreciate the advantage of having a spouse who knows firsthand

what it’s like to have a tough case or a really long day or night.

They plan for their futures together with the utmost respect for each other’s goals and

talents. Here are their observations about the glue that makes a medical marriage stick.

from Seeniann’s mother. “Without my mother-in-law, itwould be very tough,” says Carl.

Seeniann’s mother often stayswith them and sometimes they takeJohnny to her home in Binghamton,New York, for a few days. “Those breaksgive us a chance to make time for eachother, but at the same time, we reallymiss him,” says Carl. “It’s sometimes hard to balance every-thing,” reflects Seeniann. “It really helpsto have a supportive husband. Carlknows what I’m going through becausehe did it, too. If I was married to some-one who wasn’t in medicine, I’d worrythat he would start resenting my workbecause it takes so much of my time.“The fact that our overall goals are thesame is a big factor in making thingswork, although we are different in a lot of ways culturally,” says Seeniann, whose

family was originally from India. “We complement eachother and of course, we love each other very much.

Teaching, research and clinical medicine. These are thecareer goals that led Carl Hoegerl, DO ’01, and his wife,Seeniann John, DO, MPH (’01NYCOM), to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania, where Carl is a neurologist andSeeniann is in the midst of a three-yeargastroenterology fellowship.“Being able to pass on what I’ve

learned is important to me, so I want tobe in a place where I can teach medicalstudents, residents and fellows,” saysCarl, who met Seeniann when they werepre-med students at Gannon Universityin Erie, Pennsylvania.Seeniann plans to pursue research and

clinical medicine as well as teaching. “I need all three to be fulfilled,” shesays. “So an academic medical center isthe ideal place for both of us.”In addition to pursuing career goals

together, the couple is raising their 18-month-old son, Johnny, with help

C O M M O N G O A L S

Drs. Hoegerl and John

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 15

M E D I C A L Marriages

mothers will help them take care of their new baby. Thisyear, they also face the “couple residency match” in whichthe couple applies together, giving an identical rank orderlisting of cities and hospital systems. The two hope to

match either in the EasternOhio/Pittsburgh area near Elenee’smother or in the Philadelphia area nearBrandon’s family.“Getting into the same hospital is spe-cialty dependent,” notes Brandon, whohas decided on orthopedic surgery. “Myspecialty will be more of a challengebecause there are fewer residency pro-grams, only four in Pennsylvania withtwo or three spots per program and acouple hundred people competing for them.” Elenee will pursue a familypractice residency.“We’d like to match with the samehospital so we can conveniently work inthe same area, especially if our schedulesare opposite so someone can be homewith the baby,” Brandon adds.The couple is already seeing the valueof being married to a fellow physician.“During the past year as third-year stu-dents on rotation, we had our first expe-

rience with being in the hospital every day, facing stressfulsituations and emotions,” observes Elenee. “Sharing thatexperience has been very beneficial to both of us. Weunderstand each other’s feelings and concerns.”

On June 30, 2005, Brandon Raudenbush (DO ’09) wasrenovating a house he had just bought near PCOM, con-verting the garage and basement into apartments and hop-ing to attract some roommates to share expenses. Halfwaythrough the day, he needed a break, sohe went to the Student Affairs Office toput up a posting for roommates. Whenhe arrived, Elenee Peters Raudenbush(DO ’09) was there with her motherlooking for a place to live.“My mother and I only had one day

to find a place to rent because my fatherhad brain cancer and we couldn’t leavehim for very long,” says Elenee. “AndBrandon just happened to walk throughthe door.”The two became close friends, car-

pooling to school and studying together.“When my father passed that year,Brandon really helped me through thatdifficult time,” she recalls. By the end oftheir first year at PCOM, their relation-ship was serious, and in December2006, they got married. “We were roommates, then we were

best friends, then we were a couple,”says Elenee. “We shared the same strongfaith and family values. And we even knew each other’s oddities just from living in the same house!”Now fourth year students, the Raudenbushs are expecting

their first child and starting to anticipate the challenges thatlie ahead with their residencies and work life. Both of their

S T A R T I N G O U T

“As third-year students on rotation,

we had our first experience

with being in the hospital every day,

facing stressful situations and emotions.

Sharing that experience has been

very beneficial to both of us.

We understand each other’s feelings

and concerns.”

Drs. Raudenbush


P R A C T I C I N G T O G E T H E R

John Lindmark, DO ’02, and Amy PolhamusLindmark, DO ’02, recently accepted positions as pediatricintensivists in a group practice that covers two Chicago areachildren’s hospitals. During the interviewing process, manypeople found it hard to believe that a married couple couldwork together in such a demanding specialty. “Since we went through college, medical school, residen-

cy and fellowship together over a period of 14 years, we’velearned not to let our close relationship cloud our profes-sional judgment,” says Amy, who first met John when theywere pre-med students at Allegheny College. Married twoweeks before graduating from PCOM, they matchedtogether for pediatric residencies in Michigan StateUniversity’s fast track program, followed by three-year pediatric critical care fellowships. Amy notes that their patients’ parents often like the fact

that a married couple is taking care of their children.“Developing rapport with the parents of very sick childrentakes a couple days, and then you’re going off service,”

observes Amy. “I’ve found that the parents are very recep-tive when I say that my husband is the physician coming onnext.” The two also like the advantage of consulting witheach other on cases. From a scheduling standpoint, it’s very hard to be a cou-

ple in ICU medicine, according to John. “Sometimes we goa whole week with only a transient conversation becausewe’re on opposite schedules at different hospitals,” he says.“Often, one of us will plan to make dinner for the two ofus and, invariably, the other one has to stay late at the hos-pital. That’s when it’s really helpful to have a spouse whodoes the same kind of work. When Amy sends me a textpage that a child with a head injury has just come in, Iknow she’s probably not coming home for the rest of theevening, and I understand that.”Despite the demands of work and schedule, “we still do

have a life,” says Amy. Among their many shared interestsare travel, swimming and training together for marathons.“When we have time off together, we cram in as manythings as possible!”

Thomas Tylman, DO ’79, and Kathleen MissoryTylman, DO ’80, are proof positive that physician couplescan practice together successfully over the long haul. Thetwo have run a busy internal medicine practice inWilliamsburg, Virginia, for more than 20 years.They met as pre-med students at Penn State University.

“I looked around the anatomy lab for the ‘nerdiest’ guy Icould find; I knew I would need a smart partner,” saysKathy. “Tom was wearing mismatched clothes because hewas color blind and a neck collar because of an injury. Hisglasses were held together with tape. That pretty muchdefined a ‘smart nerd’ for me.”As it turned out, the two lab partners discovered

that they could be good friends and work well together.“That has carried us through 29 years of marriage,” saysKathy. “We’ve always helped each other and pushed eachother forward.”The two married right after Tom graduated from PCOM

on an Air Force scholarship. While Kathy finished herfourth year at PCOM, the couple searched for a placewhere they could both get internal medicine residencies—he in the military and she in the civilian world. “At thattime, Dayton (Ohio) was the only city in the entire countrywhere that was possible,” says Tom. Both got slots there.After the couple completed their residencies, the Air

Force assigned Tom to Homestead AFB, Florida, and Kathyaccepted a position as an independent contractor to the AirForce. Now they were practicing together, which was fortu-itous since Kathy discovered she was pregnant with theirfirst child. “If she had to come in late because of morningsickness or because the baby was sick, I came in early to seeher first patient,” says Tom.

Drs. Lindmark

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 17

Although Donald DeBrakeleer, DO ’90, and LynneDeBrakeleer, DO ’90, aren’t in private practice together,they often find themselves working together in the operat-ing room. As founder of the Laser Vaginal RejuvenationInstitute of Philadelphia, Don performs pelvic reconstruc-tion and pelvic floor surgery. Lynne is on staff with a com-pany that provides anesthesiologists to ambulatory surgicalcenters, including those where Don operates. Do they workwell together? “I never have more compliments about theanesthesiologist than when Lynne works with me,” Donsays proudly. “We’ve always had complementary working styles,”

says Lynne. “Don likes to take his time analyzing the situation and I like to get to the point, so we balance each other nicely.”Engaged in the ER at PCOM’s former City Avenue

Hospital and married the day before graduation, theDeBrakeleers recognized early on that they worked welltogether. They chose to be partners during their rotatinginternships at PCOM, despite advice to the contrary.“Many told us, ‘Don’t do it. You’ll end up divorced frombeing together so much,’” Lynne recalls. “But we thought it would be much worse if we never saw each other, so we

A few months after the baby was born, Kathy was expect-ing their second child. “That was a challenging time,” shesays. The children were 20 months apart. “On any givennight one of us was up feeding the baby, the other comfort-ing our older child. Often we were simultaneously on call.Then, of course, there was work the next day.”Their daily stress was exacerbated by the responsibilities

of the military. “I can still recall one particularly frighteningevent. Tom and all military personnel were commanded tothe AFB during a hurricane evacuation. I had to put thechildren in the car and leave the area,” Kathy remembers.“We didn’t know if we were going to see each other again.At that point, I said, ‘This is too stressful. It’s time for a change.’”Together, they decided that Tom would leave the military.

They found a private practice opportunity in Williamsburg,Virginia. The Tylmans stepped into the practice together,bolstered by support from Tom’s mother who lovingly gavethem all of her modest life savings. “The practice got busyquickly after a retiring physician signed his entire practiceover to us,” explains Tom.“The new dilemma was that we had a six-month-old, a

toddler, a full practice and we were on call in the ER twoconsecutive weeks out of every nine,” says Kathy. “So myparents moved from Pennsylvania to Virginia to help withchild care and office duties. We couldn’t have started orstayed in practice together without support from both ofour families.” The Tylmans’ world revolved around the hospital and

their children. “We often picked them up after school andthey sat in the doctors’ lounge while we made rounds,”recalls Kathy. “When we went on weekend trips, we’d workon charts together. It really never stopped; we had to bringthe office home regularly. But we were careful not to missthe kids’ activities. Working together, we could arrange ourschedules to make sure of that.”In 1997, the Tylmans sold their thriving practice to a

larger corporation to make more time for family. “As thekids became teenagers, we knew we had to be home moreto monitor their activities, and that meant putting an endto ER call,” says Kathy. “We modified the practice accord-ingly and became outpatient doctors.”Now empty nesters, the Tylmans are finding each other

again as they continue to nurture their practice and pursuetheir own individual interests as well. Kathy relishes off-shore fishing trips and Tom enjoys reading, museums andthe fine arts. “I have learned a lot about the FrenchImpressionists because of Tom and he understands theimportance of wind and ocean currents because of me,”says Kathy. “We open doors for each other.”

Drs. Tylman


Drs. DeBrakeleer

with the children while Gene completed his one-year fellowship. “That was the toughest year,” says Mary Jo, who accepted a radiologist position at the Beaufort Naval Hospital. “I was in a new job and taking care of the kids by myself. But it was worth it for Gene to have that opportunity.”After Gene returned, the Elines spent 10 idyllic years

practicing and raising their kids in Beaufort. Then, with thekids all in college, they began looking for a new challenge.They found it in Atlanta, Georgia. Gene joined Resurgens,the largest orthopedic surgery group in the U.S., where he

is now a partner. Mary Jo is practicingwith a teleradiology group. How did they survive all the chal-lenges? “You must enjoy what you’redoing or you’ll never get through it,”says Mary Jo. “We’ve always enjoyed ourwork and we’ve always been willing tosupport each other as we pursued goals.It really helps when both spouses arephysicians because you have such a deepunderstanding of the daily routine withall its challenges and triumphs.” Al -though they’ve made many sacrifices,they don’t feel deprived. “If medicine is a career that two people really want to pursue, you can make it work, just as we have.”

In addition to their practices, the Elines are involved with PCOM’s Georgia Campus. Mary Jo has served as apreceptor and Gene has played a role in making clinicalrotations available to third- and fourth-year students atnearby Gwinnett Medical Center. Both agree, “We’re excited that more PCOM doctors will be practicing in the South!”

Eugene A. Eline, Jr., DO ’85, and Mary Jo Eline, DO’85, fell in love over a microscope as lab partners at LaSalleCollege. Married at the end of their first year at PCOM,the Elines built successful careers as military physicians, hein orthopedic surgery and she in radiology. While theycompleted their internship and residency training at mili-tary hospitals in Virginia, Georgia and Hawaii, they alsohad three children. “I arrived in Honolulu for residencytraining two weeks before Gene,” recallsMary Jo. “He got there just in time forthe birth of our third baby.”With three small children under age

four, Mary Jo sent an SOS to her auntand grandmother, who came to Hawaiito help care for them. Even with theirhelp, life was hectic and time togetherscarce. “We had one of every threeweekends together,” Gene remembers.“We always had so much on our platesbut Mary Jo has always been unbeliev-able at managing time.”After completing their residencies in

Hawaii, the Elines received Army assign-ments at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. In 1995, after nine years of military service, they left the Army so that Gene could pursue a spine fel-lowship at the University of Pittsburgh, which had one ofthe top programs in the country. “Gene was one of the firstDOs to be accepted into the program,” Mary Jo saysproudly. “It was a tremendous accomplishment.”Since radiology positions were in short supply in

Pittsburgh at that time, Mary Jo stayed in South Carolina

M I L I T A R Y M A T C H

Drs. Eline

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 19

who stayed for seven years andbecame a part of their family.“Jodi really helped us makeeverything work when the chil-dren were young and we werejust getting started in ourcareers,” notes Pam, who has been in practice with Advocare Children’s Medical Associates in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, for 20 years. Gerry happily accepted the extra responsibilities involved

with raising a family. “I was always invested in Pam’s fullparticipation in her profession and I’m very proud of heraccomplishments,” he says. “She became a physician in anera when women in medicine were heavily scrutinized. Partof what attracted me to her was the way she carried herselfin those situations. She has an incredible work ethic and hasbeen one of the top producers in her practice every year. Atthe same time, she is a tremendously dedicated mother whois the glue and the focus of our family. “I’ve also been blessed to find work that is meaningful

while accommodating our family’s schedule,” he adds.Gerry practices community psychiatry for a non-profitorganization in Delaware that provides a state-fundedassertive community treatment program for the mostseverely and persistently mentally ill patients. “Our life has been devoted to our children and our

work,” reflects Gerry. “Pam and I have always consultedand supported each other as physicians and as parents. Our children have become wonderful people, and that is our greatest reward.”

Meeting and marrying at PCOM runs in the family ofPamela Giliberto Mehalick, DO ’81. Her father, JamesGiliberto, DO ’47, met her mother, Dorothy Bolognese,RN ’47, when she was a PCOM nursing student. Herbrother, James Giliberto, Jr., DO ’83, met his wife, Gaylin,when he was on a clinical rotation at the hospital where she was a nurse. So her family wasn’t surprised when Pamannounced that she was going to marry Gerald Mehalick,DO ’81, a fellow PCOM student she met while on afourth-year rotation at Sullivan County Medical Center inLaPorte, Pennsylvania. “I had to cancel our first date because I was sick,” Pam

recalls. “Gerry thought it was an excuse. Eventually we didgo out but I had to drive because he was embarrassed by his old car.” Despite the inauspicious beginning, their relationship

grew, and Gerry convinced Pam to stay at LaPorte for a sec-ond rotation. After graduation, Gerry completed a familypractice internship, but when he and Pam decided to getmarried, he changed his career course to psychiatry. “Weknew we would have a two-career marriage and we definite-ly wanted children,” says Gerry. “Pam was going into pedi-atrics and I felt that a practice in psychiatry would give mea more flexible schedule to balance the demands that shewould face in her practice.” The plan worked well. Their first child, born as they were

beginning their second year of residency, was followed bythree more over the next five years. “Gerry was a wonderful,very involved father from the beginning,” says Pam. “Everyfourth night when I was on call, he was both mother andfather to them.” Gerry also did most of the pick-ups fromday care until they found an extraordinary au pair, Jodi,

A F A M I L Y T R A D I T I O N

Drs. Mehalick

chose to be together, and it worked out well!”During their residencies, things changed dramatically.

While Don completed an OB/GYN residency atHahnemann University Hospital, Lynne did her anesthesi-ology residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistryof New Jersey. Each was on call about eight nights eachmonth, so they were only home together about half of each month. Then during their third year of residency, their first

son was born and they took turns as single parents. “Donwas a natural since he was training as an obstetrician,”recalls Lynne. The following year, their second son arrived, delivered by

Don who was then a fourth-year resident. After completingtheir residencies, the DeBrakeleers moved to OrangeCounty, New York, where Don joined a new OB/GYNpractice and they had their third son. Lynne worked a part-

time schedule to allow more time with their kids. “Wealways took care of the kids ourselves as much as possible,”says Lynne. “When we were on call at night, we oftenbrought them to the hospital and put them to bed in thecall room.” Don emphasizes that although Lynne has always worked

part time, that doesn’t make her career any less important.“Lynne is really great at her work, no matter how manyhours she works,” he says. “A lot of married physicians haveconflicts over whose career is more important. We’ve neverhad that. We really respect each other.”“As physicians, we all have egos, and it can be hard to

admit when you’re wrong,” reflects Lynne. “But I can’tthink of a time when we’ve disagreed about what should bedone in the OR. We’ve always been on the same page bothat work and at home.”

oped a unique model system that enables us to demonstratehow RSV can affect the development of prostate cancer byregulating AR activity specifically. This is something thatwasn’t known before.”The results of Dr. Zhang’s research, which is funded by

the Pennsylvania Department of Health, will be helpful indetermining whether RSV should be clinically tested as aspecific dietary supplement for prostate cancer prevention.It will also provide valuable insights into the design of newstrategies for directly combating the essential transcriptionalco-regulators in prostate cancer. In addition, the knowledgeobtained from this research may be applied to the explo-ration of newer and more efficient nutritional factorsagainst prostate as well as other cancers.“Identifying nutritional factors to apply in chemopreven-

tion may help to improve health status by preventingprostate cancer or by helping men who develop this diseaseto avoid surgery,” says Dr. Zhang. “In addition, a chemo-prevention approach to prostate cancer could greatlyimprove health status by serving as a model for other types of cancer.” Dr. Zhang emphasizes the importance of collaboration in

research both within PCOM and in partnership with otherschools. “I originally started this research while I was com-pleting my post-doctoral studies at Baylor College ofMedicine,” he explains. “Since coming to PCOM in 2006,I have continued to collaborate with my Baylor colleagues.This has enabled us to push the research forward morequickly, moving a step closer to determining the effect thatRSV has in all three stages of the cancer process—initiation,progression and metastasis.” He is also developing research collaborations with col-

leagues at the Central South University in the People’sRepublic of China, where he is a visiting professor. “PCOMprovides a very positive environment for collaboration,” he notes. PCOM students Joseph Farrell (DO ’09), Megan

Dambach (DO ’10) and Melanie Leong, MS/Biomed ’08,have also worked with Dr. Zhang on his research along with research assistant Ellen Cho. “I have learned so muchfrom working with Dr. Zhang,” says Ms. Leong, whointends to pursue a medical degree. “He provides very


It has been known for some time that red wine isgood for your heart. The reason? The grapevine produceslarge amounts of a powerful antioxidant called resveratrol(RSV) to protect itself against environmental stresses.Found abundantly in grape skins, this antioxidant also plays a key role in producing the human health benefits of red wine.Now, in addition to benefiting the heart, RSV has been

identified as one of the most promising preventive agentsagainst various cancers, including breast, thyroid and coloncancers. Two years ago, Dianzheng Zhang, PhD, assistantprofessor, biochemistry/molecular biology, began research to learn more about the chemo-preventive mechanisms ofRSV in prostate cancer development. Chemoprevention isthe use of dietary changes or supplements to prevent thedevelopment of or slow the progression of cancer. As anutritional scientist, Dr. Zhang is particularly interested in the way that nutritional factors such as RSV affect healthor disease.“It has been estimated that up to 50 percent of all cancers

could be prevented or remedied by attention to dietary fac-tors,” says Dr. Zhang. “As living organisms, we continuous-ly interact with our environment, exchanging chemicalcomponents as we breathe and eat. If you eat food withgood nutrients, you have a better chance of being healthy. If you eat an unbalanced diet, it can be like poison. We areconstantly changing the nature of our bodies with the envi-ronment through our diet. My ultimate goal is to get morepeople to pay attention to what they are eating. I also wantto increase awareness about the importance of micronutri-ents, which includes vitamins and minerals as well as phyto-chemicals such as RSV.” In his current research, Dr. Zhang is working to clarify

the underlying molecular mechanisms of RSV and how itaffects the development of prostate cancer. “The highoccurrence rate of prostate cancer and the relatively slowprogression to significant disease makes this an ideal targetfor chemoprevention,” he says. His focus in this study is theandrogen receptor (AR), a transcriptional factor involved inregulating many genes, which also plays an essential role inprostate cancer development. “My preliminary researchshowed that RSV can affect AR activity. Now I have devel-

RESEARCH SHOWS

Fruit of the Vine

May Combat Prostate Cancer

Looking ahead, Dr. Zhang hopes to pursue research onanother health benefit of RSV—longevity. “Research usinga mouse and other animal models has already establishedthat reducing calorie intake, also known as calorie restric-tion, by 30 percent can almost double your lifespan,” relatesDr. Zhang. “Studies have also shown that RSV acts likecalorie restriction by changing gene activity. It seems tokeep mice from feeling hungry, so they eat less. In humans,we have noted a change in physiology; they look healthier,and some participants experience a reduction in symptomsfrom medical conditions. We want to learn more about theimplications for human health.”

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 21

hands-on guidance which has really helped me to advancemy research skills.” Several other students will begin working with Dr. Zhang this fall, including David Rulnick(MS/Biomed ’10).Dr. Zhang expects to publish a paper about his RSV

research this year in a medical journal, The Prostate. ThePennsylvania Department of Health has asked him to sub-mit testimony on the importance of conducting researchthat demonstrates the effects of nutrition and diet on healthand disease. He is hopeful that his efforts will persuade thestate health department to consider this as the research pri-ority for the academic year 2009-2010.

“As living organisms, we continuously interact with our environment, exchangingchemical components as we breathe and eat. If you eat food with goodnutrients, you have a betterchance of being healthy. If you eat an unbalanced diet,it can be like poison.”

Stably Expressed FLAG-tagged ARFunctions as Endogenous AR

(A) Western blot: FLAG-tagged ARspecifically detected by anti-FLAG anti-body (left panel) and anti-AR antibody inthe AR(+) stable cells, not in the AR(-)parental cells (right panel).

(B) Immuno-staining: FLAG-tagged ARin stable cells translocates to the nucleuswhen treated with R1881 and RSV.

(C) ChIP assay: stably expressed FLAG-tagged AR recruited to PSA promoter inresponding to R1881 treatment.


Class of 1945Arnold Melnick, DO, Aventura, FL, was honored with the DistinguishedService Award of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians. Dr. Melnickwas the founding dean of SoutheasternCollege of Osteopathic Medicine, now the Nova Southeastern University Collegeof Osteopathic Medicine. Retired from his post as executive vice chancellor andprovost of the Health Professions Divisionof NSU, he continues with his avocationof medical writing, with six publishedbooks and more than 160 published professional articles.

Class of 1952Hymen Kanoff, DO, Huntingdon Valley, PA, was elected to serve his 17th term as speaker of the House of Delegates of the PennsylvaniaOsteopathic Medical Association.

Class of 1968Class Agents: Alfred J. Poggi, DO; HowardR. Levy, DO; and Sheldon P. Kerner, DORonald E. Ayres, DO, Cherry Hill, NJ,co-authored an article, “OsteopathicCertification Evolving into a ContinuousCertification Model,” published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.

Alfred J. Poggi, DO, Somerset, PA, was re-elected to the board of trustees of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association. His son Christ-opher Poggi, DO, joined him in practice this year

Class of 1970Class Agent: James J. Nicholson, DODudley W. Goetz, DO, Arlington, TX,was awarded life membership in the TexasOsteopathic Medical Association. Thisaward is given for exemplary service to the osteopathic profession.

Class nOtes

How many careers can a person undertake ina lifetime? Nevada State Senator Joe Heck, DO’88, is well on his way to finding out. He’s nottrying to set a record or prove a point; it’s

just that Dr. Heck is having one heck of a good time creating a life of public service. Dr. Heck began in public service more than 25 years ago when he was

a volunteer firefighter and ambulance attendant in rural Pennsylvania. In 1991, during his emergency medicine residency, he joined the ArmyReserves, and in 1992, he moved to Nevada to practice. In 1998, he wasrecruited by the Department of Defense to serve as the medical director ofthe Casualty Care Research Center of the Uniformed Services University ofthe Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. There he provided medical sup-port for several federal law enforcement agencies and oversight for the med-ical response to acts of terrorism. Committed to issues of national security, Dr. Heck later returned to

Nevada and created Specialized Medical Operations, Inc., a corporation that provides medical training, consulting and operational support to lawenforcement, EMS and military special operations. In addition to runninghis business, practicing emergency medicine and volunteering as a tacticalphysician with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, he ran forand was elected to a seat in the state Senate in 2004. As a state senator, he has served on the Natural Resources, Human Resources and Education,and Commerce and Labor Committees and as vice-chair of theTransportation and Homeland Security Committee. In January 2008, Dr. Heck was deployed to Iraq. As commander of the

Reserve’s 6252nd Army Hospital in San Diego, he could have declined thethree-month tour in Iraq. “But my number came up,” he says simply. “I’mgoing on 17 years in the Reserve. This is what you train for.” While in Iraq,Dr. Heck served as chief of emergency services at a combat support hospital.“It was an enriching experience, and I was honored to put into use my mili-tary and civilian training to take care of our troops.”Dr. Heck credits his wife, Lisa, a registered nurse, for helping make all

his endeavors possible: “She’s the most understanding wife in the country,”he asserts. Mrs. Heck works with Dr. Heck at his company and is active in his political campaigns. The couple has three children: Joey, Chelsea and Monica. In addition to his understanding wife, Dr. Heck credits his success

to having “a type-A personality. I’ve always been very goal oriented and systematic,” he continues. “I follow the point A to point B plan.” The next point in his plan? “I am up for re-election this year and my hope is to return to Carson City and continue to serve my constituents to thebest of my ability.”

Joe Heck, DO ’88

On Being of Service

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 23

Class of 1972Class Agent: Donald Wesley Minteer, Jr., DORichard M. Purse, DO, Yardley, PA, has been appointed a member of theRadiation Protection Committee for theCommonwealth of Pennsylvania, repre-senting the Pennsylvania OsteopathicMedical Association.

Class of 1973Class Agent: Herbert J. Rogove, DORobert A. Promisloff, DO, Bryn Mawr,PA, co-authored an article, “InfliximabInduced Military Tuberculosis,” pub-lished in The Journal of the PennsylvaniaOsteopathic Medical Association.

Class of 1974James A. McLaughlin, DO, Bastrop,TX, was awarded life membership in theTexas Osteopathic Medical Association.This award is given for exemplary serviceto the osteopathic profession.

Class of 1977Class Agent: H. Sprague Taveau, IV, DO, MBAGilbert E. D’Alonzo, Jr., DO,Philadelphia, PA, co-authored an article,“Current Concepts in Diastolic HeartFailure,” published in The Journal of theAmerican Osteopathic Association.H. Sprague Taveau, IV, DO, Amarillo,TX, was awarded life membership in theTexas Osteopathic Medical Association.This award is given for exemplary serviceto the osteopathic profession.

Class of 1978Class Agent: Lorraine M. DiSipio, DOJames E. Oxley, DO, Goshen, NY, was appointed vice president of medicalaffairs at Orange Regional MedicalCenter in Middletown.

Class of 1983Class Agent: Mary Ann DiBiagio, DOAlfred M. Sassler, DO, Foster, KY, hasjoined the medical offices at King’sDaughters Medical Hospital in Ashland,and King’s Daughters Medical Specialtiesin Portsmouth.

Class of 1984Class Agent: Paul V. Suhey, DOPatrick J. Kerrigan, DO, HanoverTownship, PA, was the recipient of the2008 Spirit of Youth Award presented byPhiladelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid.The award was presented at the FifthAnnual Volunteers of America CelebrityDinner on May 15, 2008.Carol K. Robison, DO, Carlisle, PA,will serve as secretary/treasurer of themedical staff for a one-year term atCarlisle Regional Medical Center.

Class of 1985Class Agent: Michael P. Meyer, DOMichael M. Weinik, DO, Philadelphia,PA, was appointed team physician for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is on staff at Temple University Hospital in the physical medicine and rehabilita-tion department.

Class of 1986Class Agent: John C. Sefter, DORonald F. Sing, DO, Charlotte, NC, co-authored an article published in theJanuary 2008 issue of The Journal of theAmerican Osteopathic Association titled“Bleeding Duodenal Ulcer after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery.”

Class of 1979Class Agent: Earl H. Brinser, DOJoseph V. Pongonis, DO, Langhorne,PA, was re-elected to the board oftrustees of the Pennsylvania OsteopathicMedical Association.

William B. Swallow, DO, DingmansFerry, PA, was elected to the board oftrustees of the Pennsylvania OsteopathicMedical Association.William A. Wewer, DO, Harrisburg,PA, is serving his 20th year assecretary/treasurer of the PennsylvaniaOsteopathic Medical Association.

Class of 1981Class Agent: Gerald E. Dworkin, DOJay D. Feldstein, DO, Avondale, PA, was promoted to corporate chief medicalofficer at AmeriHealth Mercy Family ofCompanies in Philadelphia.John K. Mariani, DO, Haddonfield,NJ, was appointed director of orthopedicservices for Kennedy MemorialHospitals–University Medical Center.Lawrence M. Neustadter, DO,Voorhees, NJ, joined the department of radiology at AtlantiCare RegionalMedical Center in Atlantic City. He is certified by the American Board of Radiology.

Class of 1982Class Agent: Anthony J. Silvagni, DOJanice A. Knebl, DO, Fort Worth, TX,has been selected as a member of the2007-2008 Class of Executive Leadershipin Academic Medicine Fellows by theHedwig van Ameringen ELAM Programfor Women at Drexel University Collegeof Medicine in Philadelphia. Fellowscomplete a one-year program of leader-ship training that prepares senior womenfaculty for leadership roles at academichealth centers. Dr. Knebl is a professor of geriatrics at the University of NorthTexas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

Class nOtes

E-MAIL YOUR NEWS AND PHOTOS TO MADELINE LAW: [email protected]


Class of 1987Class Agents: Elliott Bilofsky, DO; and Katherine C. Erlichman, DOElliott J. Bilofsky, DO, Everett, PA,joined the medical staff at Fulton CountyMedical Center. Dr. Bilofsky is certified bythe American Osteopathic Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Facial Plastic Surgery.Anthony E. DiMarco, DO, Glen Mills,PA, was elected vice speaker of the Houseof Delegates of the PennsylvaniaOsteopathic Medical Association.Craig A. Frankil, DO, Newtown, PA,joined the medical staff at Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, New Jersey.Joan M. Grzybowski, DO,Conshohocken, PA, was re-elected to the board of trustees of the PennsylvaniaOsteopathic Medical Association.Robert S. Jones, DO, Mohnton, PA, was elected to the board of trustees of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association.Joseph A. Giaimo, DO, West Palm Beach, FL, was appointed to the Practicing Physicians Advisory CouncilCommittee for Medicare. Only 15 physicians across the country are selectedfor this federal committee.Jeffrey C. Hager, DO, Beach Haven, NJ,was elected president of the medical stafffor a two-year term at Southern OceanCounty Hospital in Manahawkin.

Class of 1988Class Agent: Eric M. Lipnack, DOJoseph Heck, DO, Henderson, NV, was highlighted in an article, “Now, It’s Joe Heck’s War,” published in theJanuary 26, 2008, issue of the Las VegasReview-Journal. Army Reserve Colonel Joe Heck, an emergency physician andRepublican state senator, commands theReserve’s 6252nd Army Hospital in SanDiego, California.David Silver, DO, Lutherville, MD, waspromoted to chief medical officer atBaltimore Medical System.

Class nOtes

Christopher T. Cessna, DO ’02, and his wife, Kelly A. Cessna, DO ’03,Sacramento, CA, are the proud parents of Luke Christopher, born onNovember 26, 2007. Brother Zachary, age two, was happy to welcome his new brother.

Jarad S. Fingerman, DO ’96, Newtown, PA, and his wife, Laura Glickman,are the proud parents of Chloe Rose, born on April 24, 2008. Chloe joins herbig sister, Alexis Paige, age three.

Melanie Rompella Justice, MS/Psy ’05, Calabasas, CA, and her husband,Andy, are the proud parents of Sabina Iris, born on March 7, 2008.

David F. Sarknas, DO ’03, and his wife, Clare L. Gimpel, DO ’04,Pittsburgh, PA, are the proud parents of Megan Elizabeth, born on April 3, 2008.

On aPersonal

Note

Class of 1989Class Agent: Judith R. Pryblick, DOMichael E. Dietz, DO, Cincinnati, OH,joined HealthSource of Ohio.

Donna R. Moyer, DO, Perrinton, MI,was elected president-elect of theMichigan Osteopathic Association.Philip N. Scaglione, DO, Eckensburg,PA, joined the medical staff at CortlandRegional Medical Center. Dr. Scaglioneis an orthopedic surgeon.Alice J. Zal, DO, Narberth, PA, waselected vice president of the PennsylvaniaOsteopathic Medical Association.

Class of 1990Class Agent: Jennifer L. Waxler, DOMaryanne J. Henderson, DO,Pittsburgh, PA, was appointed medicaldirector of the Children’s Institute inSquirrel Hill.Joseph M. Novi, DO, Columbus, OH,co-authored an article titled “The Effectof Hydration on Athletic Performance inYoung Male Athletes” published in TheJournal of the Pennsylvania OsteopathicMedical Association.James J. Tayoun, Jr., DO, Philadelphia,PA, was elected chairman of the depart-ment of surgery at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. Dr. Tayounjoined the medical staff at JennersvilleRegional Hospital in West Grove.Martin S. Weiss, DO, Fort Worth, TX, was named “Super Doc inCardiology” by Texas Monthly Magazine(December 2007).

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 25

Class of 1994Class Agent: Judith A. Gardner, DORobert S. Dolansky, Jr., DO,Breinigsville, PA, received the 2008Frederick Solomon, DO Award of Meritpresented by the PennsylvaniaOsteopathic Family Physicians Society.Madeline A. Goodman, DO, Falmouth,ME, passed the American Board ofPsychiatry & Neurology subspecialtyexamination in psychosomatic psychiatryat Maine Medical Center in Portland,Maine. Dr. Goodman is associate clinicalprofessor of psychiatry at the Universityof Vermont College of Medicine. She isthe proud mother of Samuel, age three.

Class of 1995Class Agent: Francis N. Ogbolu, DOLeah J. Jones, DO, Wheeling, WV, ison the medical staff of Medical GroupAssociates at Wheeling Hospital. She hasbeen recertified in internal medicine bythe American Osteopathic Board ofInternal Medicine.

Class of 1996Class Agent: Joanne Elena Hullings, DODennis P. McHugh, DO, PlymouthMeeting, PA, was appointed medicaldirector of the Mercy Suburban Centerfor Joint Replacement in East Norriton.Jeffrey R. Melrose, DO, Malvern, PA,joined the medical staff at Great ValleyFamily Medicine in Exton.Paul M. Rutkowski, DO, Philadelphia,PA, co-authored an article, “InfliximabInduced Military Tuberculosis,” pub-lished in The Journal of the PennsylvaniaOsteopathic Medical Association.Glen R. Scott, Jr., DO, Anderson, SC,was appointed to the 2008 Board ofExaminers for the Malcolm BaldridgeNational Quality Award. The award, cre-ated by public law in 1987, is the highestlevel of national recognition for perform-ance excellence that a United Statesorganization can receive. As an examiner,Dr. Scott is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications submitted for the award.

Class of 2001Class Agents: Kenneth M. Andrejko, DO;Constance E. Gasda Andrejko, DO;Melissa H. Guarino, MS/PA-C; andNicole Miller, MS/PA-CMillicent A. Channell, DO,Philadelphia, PA, had her article,“Modified Muncie Technique:Osteopathic Manipulation for EustachianTube Dysfunction and Illustrative ReportCase,” published in the Journal of theAmerican Osteopathic Association.David A. Glusko, DO, Reading, PA,joined the medical staff at Family HealthCare in Meyerdale and Salisbury.Abby Jacobson, MS/PA-C, Exton, PA,was the recipient of the 2008 Physicians’Assistant Outstanding Alumni Awardpresented by Philadelphia College ofOsteopathic Medicine.Arthur Jones, Jr., DO, Milford, DE,joined the medical staff at BayhealthWomen’s Care Associates in Milford.Concetta R. Oteri, DO, North Conway,NH, joined the medical staff atWillowbend Family Practice in Bedford.

Class of 2002Class Agents: Edward John Armbruster,DO; Heather C. Beraducci, MS/PA-C;Steven Robert Blasi, DO; and Erin G.Wolf, MS/PA-CMichael K. Frantz, DO, Sewickley, PA,opened a new practice, Child Adolescent& Adult Psychiatry, in O’Hara.

Timothy A. Leone, DO,Mechanicsburg, PA, was the recipient of the 2007-2008 Frederick G. MeoliScientific Paper Senior Award presentedby the University of Medicine & Den-tistry of New Jersey – School ofOsteopathic Medicine’s Department of Surgery. Dr. Leone is a general surgeon with Susquehanna Surgeons, Wormleysburg. Suzanne Templer, DO, Miami, FL,completed her infectious disease fellow-ship at the University of Illinois atChicago. She is presently employed as an infectious disease attending at LehighValley Hospital, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Class of 1997Class Agents: Armando C. Sciullo, DO;and Laurie Ann C. Spraga, DOValerie Z. Crawford, DO, Beavercreek,OH, joined the medical staff at GreeneMemorial Hospital in Xenia.Susan S. Panah, DO, Bradford, PA,joined the medical staff at BradfordRegional Medical Center in Bradford.Michael F. Stretanski, DO, Sunbury,OH, authored five chapters in the secondedition of Essentials of Physical Medicineand Rehabilitation, MusculoskeletalDisorders, Pain and Rehabilitation. He is on the MedCentral Health Systemmedical staff in Mansfield.

Class of 1998Class Agent: James V. Lieb, DOKaren E. Agersborg, DO, Philadelphia,PA, was named chief of the division ofendocrinology and metabolism at theChestnut Hill Hospital, University ofPennsylvania Health Care System.Matthew W. Lawrence, DO,Wilmington, DE, joined the medicalstaff at Jennersville Hospital in WestGrove, Pennsylvania.

Class of 2000Class Agents: Edward T. Casey, Jr., DO;Kristen M. Lehmann, MS/PA-C; andChristiane M. Petrillo, MS/PA-C Christopher A. Davis, DO, Springfield,PA, was elected to the board of trusteesof the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association.David O’Neill, DO, Palmerton, PA,joined the medical staff at LehightonMedical Associates in Lehighton.Monique M. Scally, DO, Stratford, NJ,became board certified by the NationalBoard of Echocardiography.

Class nOtes



Joseph J. Zienkiewicz, DO, Bethlehem,PA, joined the department of family medicine at Community PhysicianPractice Growth Initiative in Bethlehem.

Class of 2003Class Agents: Joshua M. Baron, DO; Mark B. Abraham, JD, DO; Daniel J.Morrissy, III, DO; Jacob Mathew, MS/PA-C; and Joseph D. Norris, MS/PA-CGregory A. Ambuske, DO, Bradford, PA, joined the medical staff at QualityCare Internal Medicine in Bradford.Aileen E. John, DO, High Point, NC,joined the medical staff at BethanyMedical Center in High Point. Dr. John is board certified in family medicine.Stephanie B. Kaliner, DO, Malvern, PA, had her article titled “Eating Disorders on the Increase” published in the Phoenix. Keith L. Leaphart, DO, Philadelphia, PA, was appointed to the board of direc-tors of the West Insurance Group. Dr.Leaphart currently works for the Lenfest Foundation.Marshall G. Miles, DO, Allentown, PA,joined the department of surgery, divisionof plastic surgery, at Plastic SurgeryAssociates of Lehigh Valley.Rebecca J. Odorizzi, DO, Tamaqua, PA,joined the department of family medicineat Hamburg Family Practice.

Class of 2004Class Agents: Michael Anthony Caromano, MS/PA-C; and Patrick HenryD’Arco, MS/PA-CStacey Franz, DO, New York, NY, com-pleted her physical medicine and rehabili-tation residency program at New York –Presbyterian Hospital in June 2008. Dr.Franz then began a one year fellowship in musculoskeletal medicine, sports medi-cine and interventional spine care at theUniversity of Medicine and Dentistry ofNew Jersey (UMDNJ-Kessler).

Class nOtes

Jill Carey-Melton, EdS, PsyD ’07, was a suc-cessful practicing school psychologist when shedecided to return to school for her doctoral

degree. “I was seeing a lot of children who needed therapy, and I knew Iwasn’t properly equipped to offer the therapeutic counseling they needed,”she explains. “I liked PCOM’s focus on cognitive behavior therapy, which is very adaptable for school settings. It’s wonderful to study psychology at a medical school because we know that psychological stress often leads tophysical problems.”While a student at PCOM, Dr. Carey-Melton coauthored the chapter

“Working with Family Systems from a Cognitive Behavioral Perspective in Educational Settings” published in the book Cognitive BehavioralInterventions in Educational Settings: A Handbook for Practice. “It’s difficult to counsel children without the parents being on board,” Dr.Carey-Melton points out. “It’s important to look at what’s going on athome and in the family and form a relationship connection for the benefitof the child.”As a school psychologist at the Upper Elementary School in Moorestown,

New Jersey, one of Dr. Carey-Melton’s goals is to look closely at childrenwho have been assessed as needing special education. “There are many reasons a child may not be achieving,” she says. “Special education is notthe only answer. We must look at the whole child including their economicsituation and their home support systems. There are times when interven-tions may work just as well, if not better. We need to be careful how welabel children.”In particular, Dr. Carey-Melton studies the achievement gap between

white and black students in suburban schools. “There has been an over-representation of black males in special education classes in suburbanschools for over 30 years,” she explains. “There are many reasons this maybe the case, including unfair labeling and unfair discipline practices coupledwith the fact that over 60 percent of African American children live in sin-gle parent households. When the student comes home from school theremay be no one there to help with homework or projects. There may be economic disparities. Not all children have computers in their homes or a support network for assisting with organization and planning in the evenings.” To help create parity, Dr. Carey-Melton is working to bring the voices of

the single parent mothers into the school district, to create therapeutic sup-port networks for the males using cognitive behavior therapy and to createincreased expectations of the African American students. In addition, shehas established a support group at her school for African American girls.The goal is to help enhance the girls’ self-esteem, teach respect for oneanother and help instill positive racial identification.

Jill Carey-Melton, EdS,PsyD ’07

Bridging the Achievement Gap

D i g e s t 2 0 0 8 27

Class of 2005Michael R. Lattanzio, DO, Allentown,PA, joined the medical staff at LehighValley Hospital and Health Network.Joseph Rosenblatt, DO, Philadelphia,PA, completed his cardiovascular fellow-ship at Albert Einstein Medical Center.Dr. Rosenblatt was appointed clinicalprofessor of medicine, division of cardiol-ogy at the University of Rochester,Rochester, New York. He started his new position in July 2008.

Class of 2006Class Agents: Caroline E. Ahlquist,MS/PA-C; and Mary C. Wilhelm,MS/PA-CJane Mack, MS/ODL, West Chester,PA, is chairwoman of the board of man-agers of the Hickman RetirementCommunity in West Chester. Ms. Mackwas honored for 20 years of service at aVolunteer Appreciation Dinner held onApril 25, 2008.Joseph A. Saggio, DO, Glenolden, PA,co-authored an article titled “InfliximabInduced Military Tuberculosis” publishedin The Journal of the PennsylvaniaOsteopathic Medical Association.Deborah Summers, PA-C, Philadelphia,PA, was elected to the board of directorsof the Eastern Pennsylvania GeriatricsSociety. She is a physician’s assistant withHome Visit Doctors in Philadelphia.

Class nOtes


In Memoriam

Donald T. Borle, DO ’47, Edgewood, RI, June 13, 2008

James J. Breslin, Sr., DO ’56, Clarkston, MI, June 12, 2008

Richard J. Citta, DO ’58, Stratford, NJ, July 22, 2008

John Bailey Flack, DO ’40, Belmont Hills, PA, June 8, 2008

Olwen F. Forbes, DO ’42, Solon, OH, April 22, 2008

Howard R. Foster, DO ’57, Woodbury, NJ, May 2, 2008

Milton A. Freedman, DO ’36, Kingston, PA, April 21, 2008

Bruce C. Gilfillan, DO ’70, Fort Worth, TX, June 8, 2008

Marvin J. Nicholas, DO ’68, Fort Myers, FL, May 30, 2008

William M. Novelli, DO ’71, Burghill, OH, May 5, 2008

Seymour Piwoz, DO ’56, Elkins Park, PA, April 12, 2008

Edward J. Spodobsalski, DO ’43, Lower Gwynedd, PA, June 19, 2008

Marie B. Stamps, RN ’42, Newport News, VA, May 14, 2008

Jeffrey Scott Stern, DO ’96, Huntingdon Valley, PA, August 21, 2008

Irving Tenenbaum, DO ’53, Cape May, NJ, April 17, 2008

David E. Wildman, Jr., DO ’97, Bryn Mawr, PA, June, 8, 2008

Dennis B. Zaslow, DO ’74, Miami, FL, July 2, 2008

Certificates of Merit

Laurence H. Belkoff, DO, Lafayette Hill, PA, wasinducted as president of the American College ofOsteopathic Surgeons.

Carlo J. DiMarco, DO ’78, Erie, PA, was installed as the2008-2009 president of the American OsteopathicAssociation on July 19.

William R. Henwood, DO ’76, Sharon, PA, was named “Outstanding Physician of the Year” by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center – Health System.

Suzanne K. Kelley, DO ’77, Harrisburg, PA, was the recipient of the PennsylvaniaOsteopathic Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award.

Jeffry A. Lindenbaum, DO ’75, Holland, PA, was inducted President of thePennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association.

Ruth E. Purdy, DO ’50, Dublin, OH, was recognized by the Bureau of OsteopathicHistory and Identity as a “Great Pioneer in Osteopathic Medicine.”

Dr. Belkoff

Dr. Kelley

less and less about my patients’ general well-being. Obviously, something had to change.

As I evaluated my options, I consideredleaving the area to take a salaried position inanother state. I researched selling my prac-tice to a local hospital chain as many of mycolleagues had done. Then, another oppor-tunity arose. I learned about doctors chang-ing their practices to a “concierge model.”

When I was approached by a management company, Idecided to change my practice.I know that concierge medicine has been criticized by

some as an elitist model. I also know that it is not theanswer to all the problems that plague our nation’s medical

system. However, for me, concierge practice has been a godsend. By practicing this model of medicine, I see onepatient per hour—an average of eight patients per day. Ihave the proper time to take a patient’s complete history, to discuss his or her symptoms, to perform a completephysical, to investigate any social needs he or she mayrequire, to formulate a treatment plan, to research anyunique medical problems, and to be a patient advocateagain. What I do now is what I was trained to do as anosteopathic physician—to be a holistic physician. Today, my patients are happier and healthier. I’m happier

and healthier. I love my job again and the promise of my profession. How many physicians can attest to the same experience?

All of my life I wanted to be a physician. My father was an osteopathicphysician who had graduated from PCOM.He had a general practice and was loved andrespected by his patients. After I graduatedfrom PCOM, I considered doing a surgicalresidency, but finally decided on internalmedicine. During my residency, my fatherdeveloped some medical problems so Idecided to switch to family practice andassist him in his practice. At that time, HMOs were more of an experiment than

the norm, and I had the opportunity to practice “tradi- tional” medicine. My father and I were joined by my cousinand had three medical offices. I practiced office medicineand hospital medicine and served as medical director of alarge nursing and rehabilitation center. Over the years, our practice, like all others, became fully

entrenched in managed care. At one point, my cousin leftfor “greener pastures” and my father retired. I went througha succession of associates and gradually downsized the prac-tice to one office. I quickly discovered that my role was no longer just physician, but also financial manager of the practice. My hours grew longer and longer. I found myself staying

in the office—sometimes until midnight—to complete my paperwork. Additional time was spent fighting withinsurance companies to advocate for my patients’ care and medications.I could no longer afford to hire physicians, so I started

to work with nurse practitioners. I never really had time offsince I had an obligation to supervise my nurse practition-ers. Meanwhile, like most physicians, I tried to work moreproductively by seeing more patients per hour. The personalcare that I tried to provide for my patients began to erode. Ibecame more of a symptom solver and realized that I knew


my tURn essay

My Turnby Frank P. Pettinelli, Jr., DO ’82

What I do now is what I was trained todo as an osteopathic physician—to be a holistic physician.

The staff of Digest welcomes your ideas for essays that would be of interest to the PCOM community. Please submit ideas in writing to Jennifer Schaffer Leone, editor. E-mail [email protected]; fax 215-871-6307; or mail Marketing and Communications, 4180 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131-1695.

Thanks to these leaders, PCOM’s fundraising programs are growing in size and scope.

This “fundraising think tank,” as Committee Chair Murray Zedeck, DO ’62, describes it, has created new strategies and opportunities for the College’s fundraising program. The group has also worked

with the Development Committee of the Board of Trustees to successfully complete two million-dollar years for the Unrestricted Annual Fund.

THE PCOM COMMUNITY TIPS ITS HAT TO THESE LOYAL FRIENDS OF THE COLLEGE!

LEADERSHIP GIFTS COMMITTEE

John Becher, DO ’70 J. Steven Blake, DO ’89 Ronald Blanck, DO ’67 Lita I. Cohen, Esq.

Gerald Dworkin, DO ’81 Carol A. Fox, MM Carol Henwood, DO ’83 John Kearney

Bruce Kornberg, DO ’78 H. Sprague Taveau, DO ’77 Murray Zedeck, DO ’62

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage

P A I D

Bala Cynwyd, PA

Permit No. 119

PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE4180 City AvenuePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19131-1695

ÒWhen we heal the earth,

we heal ourselves.Ó

— david orr

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

NOVEMBER 5President’s Recognition Reception

Hilton Hotel City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

JANUARY 30Founders’ Day

PCOM Campus, Philadelphia, PA

FEBRUARY 19-22Florida Osteopathic Medical Association Convention & Alumni Reception

Hyatt Regency Pier 66, Fort Lauderdale, FL

MARCH 4-8American College of Osteopathic Family PhysiciansConvention & PCOM Alumni Reception

Gaylord National Resort, Washington, DC

MARCH 25-29American Academy of Osteopathy Convocation & PCOM Reception

The Peabody Hotel, Little Rock, AR

MAY 29-30Alumni Weekend

PCOM Campus and Hilton Hotel City Avenue,Philadelphia, PA

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